https://safe-families.org/

My wife and I did this and it was a really tough, great experience. It’s such a worthwhile sacrifice to make if you have the time and space.

I knew CASA was a thing but had never heard of this. Thank you for sharing.

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Have you talked to your doctor about not being able to breath through your nose?

one simple wishOne Simple Wish let’s you buy gifts for people who are or were in foster care. I love that they continue to support people after they age out of the system.

How thick are the bugs

This is what my fiancee and I are planning to do. We don't want the full commitment of taking care of a kid full time, but she was a foster child and wants to help in some way

I was a casa for a year, before moving to a another country. It’s a bit more than just helping at court. You’re making sure the kid isn’t falling through the cracks when everyone else in the system is overwhelmed and overworked. There were services my casa child received only because casa was there to follow up. Everyone else forgot. Let me know if you have any questions.

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I think you need a flamethrower hat! Although, the taste of flames may be worse than the bugs 😂

This mulch isn’t treated so just be careful. We did this and we have introduced a huge ant problem to our yard.

To be honest, it's probably gonna be more gardening than farming. As far as the livestock goes, I would want to do some dairy cows and goats. A few head of steer for beef and maybe a couple horses. And lots of chixkens! I would like to grow foods we can use to teach the cooking classes. Teach real farm-to-table.

So wait. You're telling me that nature, may be dirty?!

Mesh mask or hat with bug netting attached, that's about all I can think of.

How has it effected you mentally? Do you hear horrible stories from the kids? Or just be there for them.

Id love to get involved with being there for the kids but I'd end up catching a case because I'd rage at their abusers. First kid who mentions sexual assault I'm murdering someone.

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Try one of those hats with mosquito netting attached

I've honestly had better luck with my local composting facility than buying bagged stuff. Anything that has popped up from the local place has been climatized to my locale. So all the microbes are already established. Anything folks may buy thats bagged comes from all over and still would need to establish a healthy microbiome. I cant complain. Ive got morels growing now! We do get a few ants in the spring (its when they swarm and are looking for nesting sites)- but nothing crazy. Plus they feed all the little newts and salamanders that live in my yard!

Not necessarily but it is a time and emotional commitment. It’s also a very welcoming and helpful program. You should reach out to the local branch and they can help you navigate expectations to see if it’s a good fit for you.

I actually never run, only walk with my dog. I don't open my mouth that big though but it's still enough to let some of these in. It's not that it disgusts me either, but it annoys me. I thought of covering my mouth with a mask but in the summer it will get real hot, so I can avoid doing that, that would be great ^^'

To me, this means the pa=ends didn't get the support they need. It is very easy to look at someone choosing drugs over their child and give no real thought to what drove them there.

So many kids in the system are second and even 3rd generation foster kids. There do need to be major changes made, but those major changes start somewhere small - like mowing a yard and donating clothes

Wear a cloth mask? Doesn't need to be a tight weave or medical grade to exclude bugs, so wouldn't have to restrict your breathing.

How open is your mouth when u run that bugs are regularly flying in?!? Stop running like you’re taking a bite of a burger.